Goan football coach and UK nationals team up to help poor people in Palolem

Goan football coach and UK nationals team up to help poor people in Palolem

Goan football coach and UK nationals team up to help poor people in Palolem

A Bhakti Yoga teacher from United Kingdom, a Goan football coach and Englishman having business interests in Cambodia have teamed up in the Indian coastal state of Goa to reach out to poor families and help them with essential items during the lockdown period on Palolem beach, in South Goa.

Bhakti Yogi Linda Russell has been a long time visitor to India dating back to nearly three decades while Akhil Pagui, a native of Palolem, has been a youth development football coach for the last 12 years.

Andrew Mason, owner of franchise Big Easy Phnom Penh and Ko Rong Samloem, Cambodia, which generates money for charities in Cambodia, completes the circle. Mason has been extending his charitable hand to the India project initiated by Pagui and is a major fund raiser, said Linda.

In Palolem Beach, one of the most popular beach in Goa, Akhil along with other local volunteers have identified around 20 families living without financial support and who don't have money to buy provisions for the next 15 days lockdown period, said Akhil

“It's very challenging to those who are daily wage earners and who have absolutely no support. We have decided to provide them with support in the form of food packages and other essential items. This package will contain supplies for 10 to 15 days. Supplies will be distributed through a network of our volunteers in respective families. Cost of each packet is ₹ 1000/,” said Akhil.

Linda, stay put in Goa even as over 7,000 western tourists flew back to their respective countries via the special repartition flights arranged by the respective governments in association with their Indian counterparts.

“I have stayed to help my Indian friend to help feed the no income families in Palolem so they can survive this lockdown,” Linda said in response to a question.

A Bhakti Yogi for the last 26 years has so far been helping six families in Palolem since the nationwide lockdown was announced a 21-day lockdown on March 24 which was extended till May 3, to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Linda describes Akhil as a ‘Spiderman’ ready to help people in need.

I have met a young guy Akhil who has the rainbow above his head. Heartfelt kindness of which I have not seen in such a young chap in a long time. We are collectively are on a quiet mission here in India to help the needy. Selflessly he perseveres quietly like Spiderman with as much aid as we can help,” Linda says.

Linda says life has been hard for the local residents of Palolem residents, who have no income on their own in the lockdown period and were dependent on daily wages to keep the house fires burning.

”We shop and distribute basic staples such as fruit, vegetable, rice, flour etc. Some families went to the forest in search of food during the lockdown. We allocated families with adequate food to keep them well and healthy. Toiletries and must haves have been also been included,” she added.

“It’s a golden opportunity to change life to think creative or do something to stay with the family and people understand the value of food, especially the value of farmer. Everything is going to change. It's a learning of the life. How to leave peacefully. Here I'm helping  underprivileged people giving food and working as a social volunteer,” said Akhil.

Linda her decision to stay back and help was with a view to pay back to India what she has learnt over the years.

“Thank you India for my education of 26 years to give me an opportunity to give something good back. Love all serve all,” she adds.

She informed that they are looking for financial aid to help the families in the long run as they are running out of the money.

“We are raising money from the West and appealing for financial help,” she adds.

People willing to donate can do so . Here are the bank details. Please donate.

Mr. AKhil Anant pagui

Branch address nagarcem canacona, Goa

Omkar building near KTC BUS STAND

PIN NO.. 403702

 IFSC NO :- SYNB0007214

Bank name :- Syndicate Bank

Accounts number 72142200054740

SWIFTCODE:SYNBINBB013